Yep that’s me, a meatloaf lover and I’m not afraid to admit it, even in health-nut California. My youngest son kept asking to have it for dinner but I balked. He craves super American food while my other son prefers Japanese. My experience with American meatloaf was my mom’s version and it was awful. But my son kept asking so I relented. I researched the Internet and landed on the perfect recipe: Guy Approved Meatloaf. I love it and I’m not a guy.
What got me: the loaf was wrapped in bacon. Bacon makes anything better. The insides were pretty good too. Instead of oatmeal for a binder, like in my mom’s yucky version, the recipe calls for crushed crackers and POTATO CHIPS! Instead of the boring canned tomato sauce tossed across the top of my mom’s loaf for “flavor,” this recipe calls for barbeque sauce blended into the mixture, as in ALL OVER. Both recipes listed chopped onion. At least I could control the size, dime-size not quarter-size like my mom’s. The meatloaf’s secret ingredient: liquid smoke. I opted for smoked barbeque sauce as liquid smoke made me think of those photos of black, sticky lungs we saw in middle school to scare us away from smoking.
I showed my friend Carol the recipe. “Organic Man eats this?”
He eats a small slice. I do try to use uncured bacon, organic potato chips and beef. Sometimes, I’m not up for the shopping challenge so I say, “Screw it. We are going full throttle unhealthy on this one with REAL, CANCER CAUSING BACON. Nitrates all the way! I like the really thick kind at the butcher as it holds up better in the oven. Drink red wine with it and I’m sure it kills all the bad stuff. Our kids, I’m banking on them spinning all the chemicals out with their speedy metabolisms. It only happens a few times a year anyway.
My suggestions, add an extra half pound of beef so there are leftovers for sandwiches the next day. My first batch was demolished in one sitting—it’s that good. Add extra sauce for moisture and flavor. And, add some extra chips, for salt.
Enjoy! Just not too often or you’ll end up on some kind of pill.
Perfection!
Thanks for reminding me that it’s Fall and time to start making meatloaf! I still like using oatmeal for a gluten free option and was already using BBQ sauce, but will have to try the bacon and liquid smoke.
Potato chips are gluten free! Taste a lot better than oatmeal.;-)
I’m a meatloaf lover too, and this looks amazing. Perfect with the brussels sprouts you got me hooked on, or maybe Tony’s roasted kale!
Ha! That’s the way to balance the nutrition: meatloaf and kale/brussels. Tony would be proud.
My mom used breadcrumbs, and instead of the sauce, eggs. I do the same when I make my famous ‘Czechburgers’. ?
Hmm. Might have to try one of the “Czechburgers.”
Hey Francie – just read this one. I’m going to try the recipe. I already use BBQ sauce, like you, I didn’t like the plain ‘ol tomato sauce Mom used. Wonder if they used the same recipe? Bacon does make anything better so should be a hit in my house! 🙂
I bet our moms did use the same recipe–so blah! You will LOVE this recipe. Smoked BBQ sauce is key! And the bacon of course.